The process of Government formation in Jammu & Kashmir is unlikely to take place in year 2014 as the single largest political group - People's Democratic Party (PDP) - has taken a longer course to decide its partnership choice. Even as Raj Bhawan rescheduled meeting between Governor NN Vohra and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti to take place on December 31, sources said PDP is grappling with internal disagreements on future course of action.
The National Conference's (NC) elimination from the power race became clearer on Monday when its Additional General Secretary Mustafa Kamal advocated for PDP's alliance with the BJP for the formation of a "stable Government".
Sources said that PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed began one-to-one meetings with newly-elected legislators and senior party functionaries at his official Gupkar Road residence to know their viewpoint on forging alliance with various parties. Though many legislators favoured alliance with the BJP, there were several dissenting opinions, sources confirmed.
Sayeed told the party leadership that coalition with the BJP would not be in the best interests of the party. However, there are strong pro-BJP voices within the legislators. A newly-elected legislator from Baramulla district has told the leadership that the PDP-BJP alliance would be a historic step to usher J& K into an era of development.
The BJP leadership has not reacted to the PDP's proposals it had informally received through an emissary last week. Meanwhile, the possible BJP-PDP alliance received approval from an unexpected quarter.
The NC Additional General Secretary Mustafa Kamal told a local news agency that people in Kashmir have voted for PDP and this party should not waste time for the Government formation. He said both the parties should join hands to give people a better and strong Government.
Kamal said NC would not sabotage any move of PDP if it is willing to form the Government with the BJP. He said though NC is ready to support PDP, lack of response from PDP so far has made it clear that it will form the Government with the BJP.